Irish Open purse to be cut to half
European Tour’s Irish Open, which is being presented by Discover Island from July 28-31, 2011 at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, will experience a cut of 50 percent in its total prize money.
The European Tour chief executive George O’Grady disseminated the news in a press conference held on Wednesday at Killarney. He said that since 3 – a telecommunication company – pulled out of the contract, the tournament was facing financial deficit, which
is why the total purse was cut from £1.70 million to £1.35 million. Irish tourism authority Failte Ireland are said to be the provider of financial backing for this year's event alongside the European Tour.
O’Grady told the press that the tour was looking for sponsors and very soon, a deal would be inked with a new party. He said that there were lot of sponsors interested in the deal, but the tour officials were looking for a long-term relationship.
“There is a lot of sponsor interest but not in time to make it work this year. We're looking for a long-term sponsor and think we will get it,” said O’Grady while speaking to reporters.
Irish Open is one of the flagship events on European Tour, however, it has been facing financial turmoil ever since recession hit the international market. The tour is trying hard to secure a long term deal with a sponsor in order to bring the tournament
out of jeopardy. For this reason, they have been attracting the top guns of golf into the four-day session.
Included in the field is 2011 US Open champion Rory McIlroy, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington. The trio are the locals of the area and their presence in the tournament will not only promote golf in the region, but will also
attract sponsors.
McIlroy, who will be a major attraction in the event, told the press that he was eager to fly back home for the tournament and play in front of his home crowd. He added that the local courses of Ireland enabled him to become a successful golfer.
2010 winner Ross Fisher is also said to make an appearance in the event, which he won last year for a grand prize of £450,000; the prize money will be halved this year though.
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